Congressman Kevin Yoder - Representing the 3rd District of Kansashttps://yoder.house.gov/rss.xml
enYoder Votes to End Needless Government Shutdownhttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-votes-to-end-needless-government-shutdown
<p><strong>Washington, DC —</strong> This evening, Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) voted for a short-term funding bill to re-open the federal government and issued the following statement after the bill passed by a 266-150 vote:<br /><br />
“I was pleased to cast a vote moments ago to end this needless government shutdown and am relieved it has ended after only a few short days. This evening, the House voted on a short-term funding bill to keep the government open for the next three weeks as Congress continues to debate and finalize the funding levels for 2018. Its passage means members of our military will again get their paychecks and our veterans will have no doubts about getting the care they deserve. It also means the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, gets the six-year extension House Republicans have been fighting for months to secure.<br /><br />
“For some context, this bill is nearly identical in policy to the one that was filibustered and blocked by Senate Democrats at the end of last week. I’m thankful Democrats finally conceded and I look forward to working with Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle to come up with immigration solutions as we should be – separate from essential funding bills. Nothing was accomplished by this shutdown, period.”</p>
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<p align="center">###</p>Mon, 22 Jan 2018 18:53:50 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-votes-to-end-needless-government-shutdownVIDEO: Yoder Tribute to Former Representative Larry Winn, Jr.https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-yoder-tribute-to-former-representative-larry-winn-jr
<p><strong>Washington, D.C. –</strong> This morning, Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to honor and remember the life of former Representative Larry Winn, Jr., who served Kansas’ Third District in Congress from 1967 to 1985.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanKevinYoder/videos/1754002001319372/" target="_blank"><strong>Click here</strong></a> to watch Yoder's remarks.</p>
<p>The following are Yoder’s remarks as prepared for delivery:</p>
<p><em>“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the life of a long time servant of this body, one of my predecessors, a former Kansas 3rd District Representative Larry Winn, Jr. Larry passed away New Year’s Eve at the remarkable age of 98, and he will be dearly missed by his family and the people of the 3rd District. </em></p>
<p><em>Larry will long be remembered in our community and in the halls of Congress as a devoted public servant. Representative Winn served in this body for eighteen years, from 1967 to 1985. His time in the House spanned across nine Congresses and five presidential administrations – from Lyndon B. Johnson to Ronald Reagan.</em></p>
<p><em>He served alongside some of the great statesmen of his time. Larry’s freshman class in the House included George H.W. Bush. Larry and his wife Joan became good friends with the Bushes; Joan and Barbara Bush were proud members of a club for Congressional spouses called the “66 Club.” Larry became close friends with and greatly respected President Gerald Ford, who once visited the 3rd District and drew a huge crowd in my hometown of Overland Park. Larry also represented our state along with one of the most prominent Kansans ever: Senator Bob Dole. Larry was known as a congenial Member, who worked to find consensus and developed strong relationships with his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. While he spent his entire time in Congress in the minority party, he made a priority of seeking out opportunities and friends on both sides of the aisle.</em></p>
<p><em>Representative Winn served on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for many years, ultimately rising to the position of Ranking Member on the committee. During his time working on Foreign Affairs, the United States grappled with major world events, such as the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and conflict in the Middle East. In addition to his role on the Foreign Affairs Committee, he also represented the U.S. as a Congressional Representative to the United Nations, appointed by President Reagan. In all of these roles, he was an excellent representative of our country to the rest of the world.</em></p>
<p><em>Larry took pride in serving the people of the Third District. Constituent service was always one of his top priorities, and he believed that solving problems for his constituents was one of his most important responsibilities. If someone had an issue with a federal agency, Larry and his staff would make sure that it got resolved. This principle of valuing and serving each individual constituent in the district is one that I try to follow as a Representative. </em></p>
<p><em>He lived a great life outside of Congress as well. Larry was an alumnus of the University of Kansas school of Journalism, and a proud Jayhawk. I’ve even heard he taught life-long Wildcat Senator Pat Roberts how to Wave the Wheat. When WWII began, he was unable to join the military due to the loss of one of his legs in an accident. However, he still served his country admirably by building airplanes in Kansas City. Other accomplishments of his included serving as director of the National Association of Home Builders and the founding of the KCK Chamber’s Congressional Forum, which I have the privilege of regularly addressing as it is still going strong today, starting its 50th year.</em></p>
<p><em>Larry was a mentor to me and so many aspiring elected officials in Kansas, dispensing valuable advice and old war stories to help guide us along. He had a gift for humor, and an ease with people that served him well in all of his endeavors. Most of all his was a good man.</em></p>
<p><em>While we mourn the loss of Larry, I take comfort knowing that he is now being reunited with Joan, his beloved wife of 73 years who passed away in 2015. Larry also leaves behind a large and loving family. His legacy will live on through his four children: Larry Winn III, Douglas Winn, Janet Payne, and Cynthia Burr, plus eight grandchildren and sixteen grandchildren. </em></p>
<p><em>Larry’s legacy will live on in other public servants who he mentored and inspired. He left an indelible mark on this body, and because of his leadership here, Kansas and the United States is better off for it. Larry, on behalf of the United States Congress, we are thankful for your service to our country; you are in God’s hands now and may you rest in eternal peace.”</em></p>
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<p align="center">###</p>Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/video-yoder-tribute-to-former-representative-larry-winn-jrYoder and Gabbard’s Bipartisan Push Stops Proposal to Deport H-1B Visa Holders Seeking Permanent Residencyhttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-and-gabbard-s-bipartisan-push-stops-proposal-to-deport-h-1b-visa
<p><strong>Washington, DC—</strong>On January 5th, Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS), lead sponsor of the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/392?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+392%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1"><strong>Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act</strong></a>, and Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, sent a letter to President Trump urging his Administration to reject a proposal to deport H-1B holders awaiting permanent residency processing. Soon after, along with mounting pressure from business, technology, and government leaders, the Trump Administration has <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/white-house/article193665104.html">reportedly</a> backed off from the counterproductive proposal.</p>
<p>The United States <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/04/12/technology/h1b-cap-visa-fy-2017/index.html">grants 85,000 H-1B visas every year</a> to highly skilled applicants who are here legally, including roughly 70 percent for Indians, seeking employment and educational opportunities. According to the <a href="https://nfap.com/">National Foundation for American Policy</a>, more than half of privately-held companies worth $1 billion or more in the United States <a href="http://nfap.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Immigrants-and-Billion-Dollar-Startups.NFAP-Policy-Brief.March-2016.pdf">had at least one immigrant founder</a> – with many having come to America on an H-1B visa, including the CEOs of both Microsoft and Google.</p>
<p>Yoder and Gabbard released the following statements today.</p>
<p>“I have seen personally how high-skilled immigrants have helped my community and so many others across the country by filling critical labor shortages in specific industries, preventing employers from fleeing overseas to fill them,” <strong>Representative Kevin Yoder said. </strong>“Plus, many of these immigrants hope to eventually start their own businesses and create new jobs here in the United States. These are the people who have helped America grow and thrive as a nation of immigrants and we need to make sure our system continues to value those who are following our laws and doing the right thing.”</p>
<p>“H-1B visa holders, many of whom become small business owners and job creators, drive innovation and help build and strengthen our U.S. economy,” <strong>Representative Tulsi Gabbard said. </strong>“The Trump Administration’s decision to back off this counterproductive proposal is a positive step forward. While it remains a priority to invest in training and create a pipeline of skilled American workers, we must continue to leverage the talent and expertise of the hundreds of thousands of H-1B visa holders to fill the gaps in our domestic workforce.”</p>
<p>“America has provided me and many hundreds of thousands of folks on H1-B an opportunity to further our careers after education,” <strong>Alok Madasani, an H1B visa holder and survivor of last year's shooting in Olathe, Kansas, said.</strong> “America also taught us that if you are determined and hardworking and follow the established process, there are opportunities for everyone. There are folks who moved here decades ago and have kids going to school here, the place they call home. Every process can be improved continuously for maximum output and current H-1B process can also be improved but eliminating it on a whole affects much larger audience. I’m grateful the administration has reconsidered these changes to H-1B extensions for folks with pending green card applications and I appreciate Representatives Yoder and Gabbard’s efforts to help us and our families continue staying together here in USA and continue contributing to the society.”</p>
<p><strong><u>Background:</u></strong></p>
<p>Representative Yoder is the lead sponsor of HR 392, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which would remove the existing per-country cap on employment-based green cards. Currently, citizens from any particular nation are capped at receiving seven percent of the 140,000 green cards the United States distributes annually to high-skilled immigrant workers. The cap has created a massive backlog affecting somewhere between <a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/no-one-knows-how-long-legal-immigrants-will-have-wait">230,000 and 2 million</a> Indian workers in the United States causing them to wait anywhere between half a century and their entire lifetime to receive a green card. The bill would remove the arbitrary cap and create a first-come, first-serve system where all immigrants are treated equally without regard to their country of origin. Representative Gabbard is one of 302 cosponsors of the bill, the most-cosponsored legislation in the 115th Congress.</p>
<p>The text of the letter is reproduced below.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>January 5, 2018</p>
<p>President Donald Trump<br />
The White House<br />
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW<br />
Washington, DC 20500</p>
<p>Dear President Trump:</p>
<p>We are writing to you today regarding alarming reports about proposed changes to the H-1B visa program that could result in the deportation of H-1B visa holders residing in the U.S. who are awaiting application determinations for permanent residency. We strongly believe this action would be harmful to the American economy, credibility, and relations with India and the Indian-American community. As members of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, we urge you not to deport H-1B holders awaiting permanent residency processing.</p>
<p>The H-1B visa program is not designed to replace American workers with foreign workers, it is designed to augment the American workforce in specific areas where demand is high and gaps in skill sets exist. These visa holders are frequently from the medical, education, architecture, or science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations, fields critical to American economic prosperity and security, where too often we have a shortage of qualified American applicants. H-1B visa holders are permitted to apply for permanent residency, but due to chronic application backlogs, their permanent residency status is frequently not determined until after their H-1B visas are set to expire. They must therefore rely on the granting of these extensions until their applications can be adjudicated. Removing this benefit will result in a tremendous loss of skilled labor that greatly benefits our economy.</p>
<p>Indian citizens have remained the top H-1B visa program recipients each year since the program began, and these visa holders and their host companies pay hundreds, and frequently thousands of dollars to the U.S. government to process visas. For the duration of their stay, they pay federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. Their desire for permanent residency only improves the skilled, tax-paying American workforce and attracts business to the U.S<strong>. These participants are working with the American immigration system, not against it. They, their families, and the companies they work for should not be punished. </strong></p>
<p>The unemployment rate is at a new low, 4.1%, on a steady and healthy decline since 2010. This commendable low includes significant employment gains in the industries that are augmented by the H-1B visa program participants. If it is correct that you plan on removing the ability to grant extensions to current H-1B visa holders with pending permanent residency application processing, it is unclear the intent as the U.S. currently maintains a healthy unemployment level, and many H-1B visa holders have gone on to start their own small businesses, contributing to our economy as job creators. Furthermore, the changes we need to bridge the skill gaps we currently have will take many years, during which time we will likely still need to rely on a robust H-1B system.</p>
<p>India is the world's largest democracy, and Indian workers in the U.S. bring with them the spirit of hard work and democracy that is vital to our country. The Indian-American population has a long and decorated history of contributions to the fabric of our country. India is also an increasingly important trade and security partner, on the front lines in the fight against global terrorism.</p>
<p>We urge clarification on the reports that you are contemplating the removal of extensions for H-1B visa holders living in the U.S., who are awaiting permanent residency visa processing. We strongly oppose this action. It is not realistic to expect H-1B visa holders, who are well invested in the American economy, including real estate markets, to return to their home country to await an answer regarding their permanent residency status only to restart their livelihoods from scratch once more. The potential of losing these skilled workers poses a serious risk to the American economy. We look forward to hearing from you on this important matter.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Representative Kevin Yoder<br />
Representative Tulsi Gabbard</p>
<p> </p>
<p>CC:</p>
<p>Kirstjen Nielsen<br />
Secretary of Homeland Security<br />
Department of Homeland Security</p>
<p>Alexander Acosta<br />
Secretary of Labor<br />
Department of Labor</p>
<p>Rex Tillerson<br />
Secretary of State<br />
Department of State</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center">###</p>Tue, 09 Jan 2018 17:41:12 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-and-gabbard-s-bipartisan-push-stops-proposal-to-deport-h-1b-visaYoder Statement on Passing of Larry Winnhttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-statement-on-passing-of-larry-winn
<p><strong>Overland Park, KS –</strong> This afternoon, Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) issued the following statement on the death of former-Representative Larry Winn, who served Kansas’ Third District in Congress from 1967 to 1985:</p>
<p>“Larry Winn was a loyal Jayhawk and a statesman whose service to our country, to Kansas, and to our community left each a better place. For me, he was a mentor whom I admired and could always count on for advice and counsel on how to best represent the Third District in Congress, as he did proudly for 18 years. I will certainly miss him, but I take comfort knowing he has been reunited with his beloved wife Joan.”</p>
<p align="center">###</p>Tue, 02 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-statement-on-passing-of-larry-winnYoder Statement on Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Acthttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-statement-on-passage-of-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-0
<p><strong>Washington, DC –</strong> This afternoon, the House of Representatives voted to send the conference committee agreement on the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+1%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1"><strong>Tax Cuts and Jobs Act</strong></a> to the President’s desk by a vote of 227-203. Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the bill:</p>
<p>“Today, the House of Representatives passed generational reforms that will reduce the tax burden for hardworking families across America. This was a vote to give relief to the 75 percent of Americans currently living paycheck to paycheck who have been suffering from a stifling economic anxiety and little to no wage growth over the last eight years. Today’s vote was a vote for every family, every single mom, every entrepreneur, and every student fighting to climb up the economic ladder and achieve the American Dream.</p>
<p>“The typical middle class family will see a tax cut of $2,059 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. On top of that, the typical middle class family in Kansas will see an increase in after-tax income by $2,500 – meaning they’ll finally get that pay raise they’ve been hoping for the last decade.</p>
<p>“We do it primarily by making three vital changes to our tax code. We double the standard deduction, making the first $24,000 of a family’s income tax-free. We double the child tax credit to $2,000 and make it refundable, allowing low-income families to reduce their payroll tax burden. And we lower tax rates for all Americans.</p>
<p>“The facts show that relief is specifically targeted to middle and low-income Americans, fulfilling our promise to lower the tax burden for those who need it the most. Analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation shows that those making between $20,000 and $30,000 per year will see the largest percentage tax cut under our bill.</p>
<p>“In Congress, it’s a fight between those who demand higher taxes and more spending in Washington and those who want to return tax dollars to the hardworking Americans who earned them. Today, the Washington bureaucrats lost and the American people won.”</p>
<p>In addition to voting for the legislation, Representative Yoder led the fight to preserve several important provisions for working families:</p>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article183114501.html">Child care tax credits and flexible spending accounts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanKevinYoder/videos/1724890890897150/">Educator school supply expense deduction</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanKevinYoder/videos/1724614297591476/">Tax exemption for graduate student tuition waivers</a></li>
</ul><p><em>***Editor’s Note: the House will vote on a technical fix to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act tomorrow due to a procedural point of order. </em></p>
<p align="center">###</p>Thu, 21 Dec 2017 09:48:11 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-statement-on-passage-of-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-0Yoder Fights to Expand Educator Expense Deduction in the Final Tax Bill https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-fights-to-expand-educator-expense-deduction-in-the-final-tax-bill
<p><strong>Washington, DC –</strong> Earlier today, Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) led a group of 12 Republican House members in sending a letter to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act conference committee, calling for the doubling of the educator expense deduction in the final version of the tax reform legislation. The letter urges House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, and the rest of the conference committee to adopt the Senate’s version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in regard to the educator expense deduction. The Senate’s plan would increase the deduction from $250 to $500 per year.</p>
<p>Representative Yoder issued the following statement regarding his letter:</p>
<p>“America’s teachers sacrifice their time, energy and personal finances every day to help our children learn and grow into our next generation of leaders. We've worked hard to produce tax legislation in the House that would give a typical Overland Park teacher a tax cut of about $1,800. But I've listened to many teachers and advocates who recognize the educator expense deduction as one small way to show teachers our appreciation for their hard work. This important deduction should remain in our tax code.</p>
<p>"The best way to legislate in Congress is to work together, listen to our constituents, and take their concerns to Washington. That's what I'm doing here today with this letter to the conference committee. Ultimately, the goal of tax reform is to increase economic opportunity for hardworking Americans like our teachers, and we can do it in an even better way by expanding this deduction in addition to cutting their taxes." </p>
<p>The text of the letter is below:</p>
<p align="center">###</p>
<p>December 13, 2017</p>
<p>The Honorable Kevin Brady The Honorable Orrin Hatch<br />
Chairman Chairman<br />
House Committee on Ways &amp; Means Senate Committee on Finance<br />
1102 Longworth House Office Building 219 Dirksen Senate Office Building<br />
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510 </p>
<p>Dear Chairman Brady and Chairman Hatch,</p>
<p>In the wake of the passage of historic, comprehensive tax reform, we write to you in order to highlight one issue that we believe should be addressed in the conference process. As supporters of H.R. 1, we write to express our concerns about the provision within the bill that would eliminate the tax deduction for school supplies paid for by educators. This important tax provision supports teachers, enhances students’ learning experiences, and improves schools across our country. We strongly support the Senate’s plan for expanding the educator expense deduction in support of our nation’s hard working teachers.</p>
<p>Our nation’s teachers not only support America’s bright young minds with their time and care, they are also asked to subsidize our children’s education by purchasing supplies and materials for the classroom that are not reimbursed by their school. Virtually all teachers use some amount of their own money to buy supplies for their classrooms, and the average teacher spends $485 per year. This out-of-pocket cost is one that they bear out of dedication and love for their students.</p>
<p>Under current law, educators can receive a deduction of $250 per year for supplies they purchased for the benefit of their students. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as passed by the House, eliminated this provision. However, the Senate version of the tax reform bill included an expansion of the educator expense deduction, to $500 per year. While we value the goal of simplifying the tax code, certain specifically-targeted deductions have benefits that make them worthy of preservation. We believe that the educator expense deduction is one of these provisions whose benefits outweigh their financial cost. The final version of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act should include the Senate’s expansion of the educator expense deduction to $500 per year.</p>
<p>American teachers go above and beyond the call of duty for their students every single day, and the personal expenses they incur for classroom supplies are just one example of this. The tax code should reward their dedication and help them recoup at least some of that cost. As we complete the process of overhauling our nation’s tax code, we ask that you increase the crucial educator expense deduction.</p>
<p align="center">Sincerely,</p>
<p>Rep. Kevin Yoder<br />
Rep. Luke Messer<br />
Rep. Dave Brat<br />
Rep. Gus Bilirakis<br />
Rep. Kay Granger<br />
Rep. Blake Farenthold<br />
Rep. Mike Bost<br />
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen<br />
Rep. Ryan A. Costello<br />
Rep. Lee Zeldin<br />
Rep. Tom MacArthur<br />
Rep. David G. Valadao</p>Wed, 13 Dec 2017 13:58:12 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-fights-to-expand-educator-expense-deduction-in-the-final-tax-billTax Cuts and Jobs Act: Myth vs. Facthttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-myth-vs-fact
<p><strong>MYTH: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is the same as the tax plan signed into law in Kansas in 2012.<br /><br />
FACT: </strong>The Kansas tax “experiment” cut rates for small businesses to 0%. Our plan reduces the federal rate to 25%, which will allow American small businesses to compete at a level similar to other nations around the world without irresponsibly eliminating the taxes altogether. </p>
<p>In Kansas, there were no guardrails put in place to prevent tax avoidance by individuals who could classify their income as business income by filing with the state as a business. However, our bill does. It presumes that 70% of income is attributable to labor and would be taxed at the individual income-tax rate. And those providing a professional service, like lawyers, financial planners, and college athletics coaches, are not eligible to qualify for the lower 25% rate. </p>
<p>Finally, in Kansas, income tax rates were cut across the board with no removal of deductions or exemptions – the loopholes that let wealthier filers reduce their taxable income. In order to simplify the tax code, our bill eliminates those loopholes for the rich, but retains middle-class tax incentives such as deductions for home mortgage interest and charitable contributions. </p>
<p><strong>MYTH: Eliminating loopholes like the state and local tax deduction hurts middle class families because they are the ones taking advantage of those provisions.<br /><br />
FACT:</strong> About 105 million Americans, or about 70% of tax filers, do not itemize their deductions when doing their taxes. That means they do not take deductions for their state and local tax taxes, their mortgage interest, their donations to charity, etc. Instead, those 7 in 10 people take the standard deduction, which doubles in value in our bill. <br /><br />
The 3 in 10 people who do itemize their deductions tend to be wealthier individuals. In fact, according to <a href="https://www.economist.com/news/united-states/21730909-scrapping-state-and-local-tax-deduction-will-be-difficult-it-good" target="_blank">The Economist</a>, 90% of the benefits of the state and local tax deduction go to those making more than $100,000 per year. According to the Census Bureau, the median household income – the widely-accepted definition of the middle class – in <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wyandottecountykansas/PST045216" target="_blank">Wyandotte County</a> is $40,113, in <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/miamicountykansas/PST045216" target="_blank">Miami County</a> is $60,996, and in <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/johnsoncountykansas/PST045216?" target="_blank">Johnson County</a> is $76,113. In other words, the middle class is by and large not benefitting from the state and local tax deduction.</p>
<p>If a middle class family making the median income in Johnson County is currently itemizing their taxes and taking advantage of the state and local tax deduction, they are deducting about <a href="https://smartasset.com/taxes/kansas-tax-calculator#aNVxMJrgTb" target="_blank">$2,647</a> from their taxes. A middle class family in Miami County currently itemizing is deducting <a href="https://smartasset.com/taxes/kansas-tax-calculator#NuOJ0IemTx" target="_blank">$1,952</a> in state and local taxes. In Wyandotte County, it’s <a href="https://smartasset.com/taxes/kansas-tax-calculator#Hpby0yLbLT" target="_blank">$991</a>. Each of these small deductions are more than made up for in our bill by doubling the value of the standard deduction, making the first $24,000 of their income tax-free. Or if they do want to itemize, they can still claim a deduction for up to $10,000 in state and local property taxes under the House bill.<br /><br /><strong>MYTH: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts takes away Americans' ability to set aside money in tax-deferred retirement accounts. <br /><br />
FACT:</strong> The bill preserves the current tax structure for employer-provided 401(k) retirement plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), helping you plan for and secure your retirement. <br /><br /><strong>MYTH: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raises taxes on the poor and the middle class to give a huge tax break to the wealthy.</strong><br /><br /><strong>FACT: </strong>A typical middle class family of four making the median household income of $59,000 receives a tax cut of nearly $1,200 under the House-passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We significantly lower the tax burden for middle class and low-income Americans by doubling the size of the standard deduction – making the first $24,000 in a family’s income and the first $12,000 of an individual’s income tax-free. The bill also preserves the existing Earned Income Tax Credit and Child &amp; Dependent Care Tax Credit, creates a new Family Credit, and increases the value of the Child Tax Credit. Finally, it cuts the tax rate for all income earners who make fewer than $1 million while preserving the top rate of 39.6 for the wealthy.<br /><br />
According to chart below from the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), the non-partisan organization that scores congressional tax legislation, the income group that sees the most tax relief under our plan is those making between $20,000 and $30,000 per year.</p>
<p><img class="media-element file-full" data-delta="1" alt="" title="" src="/sites/yoder.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/1.jpg" width="349" height="333" /><br /><br /><strong>MYTH: Repealing the estate tax is a give-away to rich families, does nothing to actually benefit our economy or help small businesses or family farms, and will explode our deficits.<br /><br />
FACT: </strong>A study by the bipartisan<a href="https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/bc9424c1-8897-4dbd-b14c-a17c9c5380a3/costs-and-consequences-of-the-federal-estate-tax-july-25-2012.pdf" target="_blank"> Joint Economic Committee (JEC) </a>indicates "the estate tax has reduced the amount of capital stock in the U.S. economy by roughly $1.1 trillion since its introduction as a permanent tax in 1916” and that the tax "is an overwhelming cause of the dissolution of family businesses. The estate tax is a significant hindrance to entrepreneurial activity because many family businesses lack sufficient liquid assets to pay estate tax liabilities."</p>
<p>Conversely, the JEC chart below shows that the death tax raises less than one half of one percent of all federal tax revenues. The JEC study points out that “since its inception nearly 100 years ago, the estate tax has raised just under $1.3 trillion in total revenue.”</p>
<p><img class="media-element file-full" data-delta="2" alt="" title="" src="/sites/yoder.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/2.jpg" width="333" height="239" /></p>
<p><strong>MYTH: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was negotiated in secret &amp; passed in the dead of night.</strong><br /><br /><strong>FACT: </strong>Since January 2011, the House has held nearly 50 hearings and listening sessions, debated dozens of idea, policy proposals on reforming our tax code. This fall, the House Ways and Means Committee worked through regular order, considering many amendments from both sides of the aisle and passed the bill – you can watch the hearings on C-SPAN <a href="https://waysandmeans.house.gov/event/markup-tax-cuts-jobs-act/" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p><img class="media-element file-full" data-delta="3" alt="" title="" src="/sites/yoder.house.gov/files/wysiwyg_uploaded/3.jpg" width="599" height="314" /></p>Thu, 30 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-myth-vs-factYoder Announces Military Academy Nominationshttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-announces-military-academy-nominations
<p><strong>Overland Park, KS</strong> – Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) announced today that he has nominated 30 area students to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.</p>
<p>The Third District’s Academy Nomination Board, appointed by Representative Yoder, conducted interviews with the applicants following review of their applications. After receiving their nominations, the applicants must now meet the requirements of each U.S. Service Academy to be considered for appointment. Ultimately, the Academies make the final decision on who receives an appointment of admission. </p>
<p>“It’s an honor and a privilege to announce the nomination of 30 remarkable Kansans from the Third Congressional District to a United States Service Academy,” Rep. Yoder said. “Each man and woman nominated today represents distinguished character, scholarship, leadership, and service. I’m proud that these students are the future leaders of our country, and I wish them the best of luck as they seek an appointment to a U.S. Service Academy. Thank you all for your commitment to serving our nation.”</p>
<p><strong>United States Naval Academy – Annapolis, Maryland</strong></p>
<p>Ryan Devers – Olathe</p>
<p>Thomas Finn – Overland Park</p>
<p>Ryan Fitzgerald – Leawood</p>
<p>Andrew Goodman - Shawnee</p>
<p>Jerad Habben – Shawnee</p>
<p>Ansel Herndon – Overland Park</p>
<p>Claire Ivey – Shawnee</p>
<p>Alexander “Patrick” Lim – Overland Park</p>
<p>Caden Merrick – Overland Park</p>
<p>Ernest Pereira – Leawood</p>
<p>Adam Wells - Stilwell</p>
<p><strong>United States Military Academy – West Point, New York</strong></p>
<p>Devon Beuscher – Olathe</p>
<p>Andrew Ernsdorff – Shawnee</p>
<p>Benjamin Hanson - Olathe</p>
<p>Carson Krakar - Olathe</p>
<p>Hayley Murguia – Olathe</p>
<p>Dennis Rice – Prairie Village<br />
<br />
Steven Rohde – Overland Park</p>
<p>Jack Russell – Overland Park</p>
<p>Karen Yan – Overland Park</p>
<p><strong>United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, Colorado</strong></p>
<p>Madison Beck – Olathe </p>
<p>Chad Buzzell – Overland Park</p>
<p>Carson Davis – Gardner</p>
<p>Jillian Hayne - Olathe</p>
<p>Marshall Kellner – De Soto</p>
<p>Catherine McAlister - Fairway</p>
<p>Camden Schieffer - Leawood</p>
<p>Patrick Sullivan - Westwood</p>
<p>Jacob Taylor – De Soto</p>
<p>Allison Williams – Overland Park</p>
<p>Rep. Yoder will begin accepting applications for the 2019 Academy class on May 1, 2018. The application deadline is October 1, 2018. For more information on the application process or to receive an U.S. Service Academy Nomination Application packet please contact Susan Metsker in Rep. Yoder’s Overland Park Office at 913-621-0832 or visit <a href="http://www.yoder.house.gov" target="_blank">www.yoder.house.gov</a>.</p>
<p class="align-center"><br />
###</p>Tue, 28 Nov 2017 11:54:06 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-announces-military-academy-nominationsYoder Statement on Passage of Tax Cuts and Jobs Acthttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-statement-on-passage-of-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act
<p><strong>Washington, DC –</strong> This afternoon, the House of Representatives passed the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+1%22%5D%7D&amp;r=1"><strong>Tax Cuts and Jobs Act</strong></a> by a vote of 227-205. Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the bill:</p>
<p>“Today, Congress is putting people ahead of politics. We’re passing historic, sweeping reforms that will fix the broken tax code in America for the first time in 30 years.</p>
<p>“The typical family of four making the median household income of $59,000 – the middle class – will see a tax cut of nearly $1,200 under these reforms. On top of that, America will see real economic recovery we’ve been missing for the last ten years. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will boost wages, according to non-partisan estimates, by nearly four and a half percent. As President John F. Kennedy used to say, ‘the rising tide lifts all boats.’</p>
<p>“More money in your pocket, higher wages on your paycheck – it’s a win for middle class, hardworking families all around. Importantly, the bill specifically targets help for families with children with the increased Child Tax Credit, creation of the Family Credit, and preservation of the Adoption Tax Credit. Through the process, I worked hard to preserve the child care tax credits and flex spending accounts for working moms and dads.</p>
<p>“With these reforms, Americans across the country living paycheck to paycheck get relief from their tremendous tax burden. Those suffering from economic anxiety no longer need to navigate complex loopholes to figure out how the government wants to reward their behavior. They’ll have the freedom to choose how to spend their own money. And the lower you get down the economic ladder, the bigger the benefits of this bill get. The Joint Committee on Taxation shows that the biggest percent reduction in taxes paid goes to Americans making between $20,000 and $30,000.</p>
<p>“The time for action is now. Like President Reagan once said, ‘there are no limits to growth and human progress when men and women are free to follow their dreams.’ Today, I’m proud to cast a vote for that freedom, and to deliver on a promise to provide tax relief the American people deserve.”</p>
<p align="center">###</p>Thu, 16 Nov 2017 15:35:13 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-statement-on-passage-of-tax-cuts-and-jobs-actREMINDER: Rep. Yoder to Host Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance Event Tomorrowhttps://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reminder-rep-yoder-to-host-medicare-open-enrollment-assistance-event
<p><strong>Washington, DC</strong> – Tomorrow, Representative Kevin Yoder (R-KS) will host a Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance Event to provide help to seniors during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. This event will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the West Wyandotte Library. </p>
<p>Trained volunteers from the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK) program will be on hand at the event to provide one-on-one assistance to seniors who have questions or who wish to make changes to their plans.</p>
<p>The Medicare Open Enrollment Period extends from October 15th through December 7th. Medicare beneficiaries who wish to make changes or enroll for the first time need to bring their Medicare card, any current prescriptions (including dosage and frequency), and a list of preferred pharmacies. The event is free and open to everyone.</p>
<p>The date, time, and location of this event is listed below. For additional information, or if you are unable to attend, please contact Representative Yoder’s District Office in Overland Park at <strong>(913) 621-0832</strong>.</p>
<p><strong>WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH:</strong></p>
<p><strong>WHAT: </strong> Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance Event <br />
<br /><strong>WHEN: </strong> Wednesday, November 8th<br />
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM </p>
<p><strong>WHERE:</strong> West Wyandotte Library - Auditorium<br />
1737 N. 82nd Street <br />
Kansas City, KS 66112</p>
<p class="align-center">###</p>Wed, 08 Nov 2017 17:17:56 -050090https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reminder-rep-yoder-to-host-medicare-open-enrollment-assistance-event